|
|
|
Psoriatic Arthritis |
|
|
A form of inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis,
otherwise known as arthropathic psoriasis, is a condition that causes
swelling and pain in the joints. Around 20% of people suffering from the
chronic skin condition, known as psoriasis, are affected by this disease.
Most patients affected by psoriasis have the tissue type HLA-B27, the
disease causing their skin to form scaly rashes, usually on the elbows,
knees, and scalp.
Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by pain and swelling in and around the
joints, including the elbows, wrists, fingers, knees, toes, ankles, and
shoulders. Sometimes, it may even cause pain in the spine as well the joints
in the lower back, called sacroiliac joints. In addition to affecting the
joints themselves – the region where bones meet, psoriatic arthritis could
also cause damage to the surrounding tissues, such as the tendons and
ligaments.
In some cases, psoriatic arthritis cause swelling of the whole digit in a
condition colloquially termed as “sausage” finger or toe. It may also cause
skin inflammation, particularly on the elbows, knees, and scalp, which leads
to development of “scales” – dead skin tissue.
Who can get psoriatic arthritis?
As mentioned, psoriatic arthritis is often linked with psoriasis. A report
has been made that more than 80% of people suffering from psoriatic
arthritis develop psoriatic nail lesions. This condition is characterized by
pitting of the nails, and in extreme cases, loss of the nail itself (called,
onycholysis).
Like most forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis can develop at any age.
But lab reports show that, on average, the condition tends to appear about
ten years after the first symptoms of psoriasis. Majority of patients with
psoriasis develop the condition between the ages of thirty and fifty, even
as psoriatic arthritis can also affect children.
The onset of the disease makes no distinction between genders. That means,
whether male or female, both have the same tendency to develop this type of
arthritis.
What are the symptoms?
The easily determined warning signs of psoriatic arthritis include the
following:
* Pain and swelling in the joints, usually occurring first in the fingers
and toes
* The fingernails or toenails, or both, lift up from the skin and small
holes appear on their surfaces. This is known as pitting.
* Pain and swelling over ligaments and tendons.
* Feelings of stiffness and tiredness in the mornings.
What can you do if you have psoriatic arthritis?
As is usual in medical science, the best bet in curing a disease is to
identify what causes it and do something about it. Unfortunately, the exact
cause of psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis is not known yet so a cure is yet
to be found. However, treatments for psoriatic arthritis are designed in
such a way as to reduce the inevitable pain that the patient suffers due to
the inflammation.
The first step in treating the condition is to establish a correct
diagnosis. This is important as this can be used as basis when assessing
what can be done to manage the particular form of arthritis that you have.
In addition, most therapies for arthritis work best when started early, when
the disease has yet to progress. Consulting your doctor as soon as you
notice signs of psoriasis can be a good aid in halting disease progression. |
| This article
is provided courtesy of Roxanne Courtmanch. Please visit
www.thehelpingcircle.com for more articles on arthritis
as well as many other topics that may be of interest to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthritis Articles
|
Natural Arthritis Treatments
Arthritis affects over 70 million Americans according to
a recent report submitted by the Centers for Disease Care and Prevention
(CDC).
|
|
Natural Remedies for Arthritis
Arthritis is a very painful, debilitating disease that
could occur to anyone, regardless of sex, age, and other biological factors.
|
|
Osteoarthritis
Although we usually think of arthritis as one single
disease, it is actually a complex disorder comprised of several distinct
|
|
Pain Relief - Arthritis
Arthritis literally means joint inflammation, and can
affect joints in any part of the body. Joints are places in the body
|
|
Pig Arthritis Formula
Yes you heard the name right, “pig arthritis formula”,
but NO the formula is not for pigs, it is a nutritional formula for
|
|
|
|
Psoriatic Arthritis
Many people consider psoriasis a skin disease; however
its primary cause is a malfunctioning immune system.
|
|
Psoriatic Arthritis 2
A form of inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis,
otherwise known as arthropathic psoriasis, is a condition that causes
swelling
|
|
Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis also known as Reiter’s
Syndrome, is an inflammatory condition that develops in response to
an infection in
|
|
Relief from Arthritis Pain
Sixty-three-year old Alyce Kelso used to work from 10-12
hours everyday as a bus driver. However, her immune system
|
|
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis affects about one percent of the
world’s population. It is a chronic inflammatory illness, characterized
|
|
|
|
|
